Artificial bait



K. H. REED ARTIFICIAL BAIT Oct. 23, 1951 Filed May 20, 1947 Patented Oct. 23, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,572,817 ARTIFICIAL BAIT Kenneth H. Reed, Saginaw, Mich. Application May 20, 1947, Serial No. 749,148

3 Claims. (01. 43-35) This invention relates to an artificial bait, andimore particularly to such a bait of the plug type.

A primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved artificial bait which may be readily cast or trolled, characterized by a plurality of normally retracted hooks adapted to be extended upon the application of pressure to a trigger, as by a striking fish, the normal retraction of the hooks precluding the catching of the device in weeds or the like. I

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a device provided with a rotatable head, adapted to attract and lure fish by imparting a relatively lifelike motion to the device.

A further object of the invention is the provision of such a device having a Weighted end cap, whereby when cast, the device will strike the water nose first in such manner as to preclude the accidental tripping of the trigger.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of such a device which may be readily and expeditiously set with a minimum effort and difficulty.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds, and shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of this inventive concept.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top elevational view of a device embodying features'of the instant invention, certain concealed portions thereof being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along the center line of Figure 1, certain parts thereof being disclosed in alternative positions of adjustment by dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of Figure 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows, on an enlarged scale.

'Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 2, as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Figure 1, as viewed from the rear or right hand side thereof.

Figure 6 is a transverse section, taken on the line |i-6 of Figure 2 adjacent the rear end of the sliding tube and looking toward the end of the base.

Similar reference characters refer to similar o 2 parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, .the device of the instant invention is comprised of a main body portion l0 of symmetrical shape, provided with an interiorrbore within which is positioned a tube l2 extending forwardly of the end l3 of body portion l0. Forwardly of the tube |2 there is provided an extension H, which engages at the front end the bearing ring l5, and at its extremity there is secured a threaded projection l6, engaging the nut H. A supplemental body portion IB is mounted on the extending portion of tube l2 and the tube l4, and is adapted for rotation against bearing ring l5 and a bearing collar l9 which surrounds a reduced portion of the body l0, and is provided with a flange 20 forming a thrust bearing for the end of member l8. As best shown in Figure 1, the member I8 is provided with a plurality of helical grooves 2|, the arrangement being such that as the device is drawn forwardly through the water, and the impact of the water in the grooves 2| will serve to rotate the member 3.

A weighted end cap 22 provided with an interior threaded bore is adapted to threadedly engage the projecting portion l6 under circumstances to be morefully described hereinafter. The end cap 22 is provided at its extremity with a ring 23, to which may be attached a leader 24, or line, as may be desired. Secured interiorly of the end cap 22 is a rod 25 which extends interiorly of the tubes l4 and I2, and is provided at its intermediate point with a collar 26 slidable thereon and abutting an end of the slidable tube 30. One end of a compression spring 21 is adapted to seat against the collar, the other end thereof being positioned against the extremity of the tube l4. Rearwardly of the collar 26, the rod 25 extends interiorly of a tube 3|], which tube has fixed to its extremity a plate 3|. The plate 3| is seated in an enlarged recessed aperture at the rear of the device, the aperture being provided at diametrically opposed points with slots 32, through which are adapted to be extended hooks 33, the hooks lying in the position disclosed in full lines in Figure 2 completely interiorly of the body portion in the slots when in retracted position. Each hook is pivotally connected, as by a pivot ring 34, to the body portion, and includes a loop 35 which forms pivotal connection with a link 35, the opposite end of which is secured in a suitable aperture in the plate 3|. In the preferred embodiment of this invention there are four hooks, each 3 adapted to be extended outwardly through an appropriate slot.

From the arrangement thus described, it will be seen tha when the plate 31 is in the position disclosed in full lines, the pivotal arrangement is such as to withdraw the hooks. Conversely, when the plate is extended to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, the hooks will be extended.

Means are provided for holding the plate 3| in retracted position, and consequently the hooks 33, as Well as to release the same when desired, and take the form of a trigger bar 40 adapted to extend through the top slot 32, which is enlarged to accommodate the same. The trigger member or bar 40 comprises a bifurcated member, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3, between the bifur'ca tions of which extends one of the hooks 33'. The rear extremity of the trigger bar 40 extends outwardl through a slot 4| in an end plate 42 adapted to close the rear of the recess in the rear of the body portion, as best shown in Figure 5, the extending portion being adaptedtb be struck and dislodged by a fish in a manner to be more fully described hereinafter. Trigger bar 40 includes an abutment 44 adapted to bear against the edge of the plate '31 when the latter is in retracted position, and is pivoted at its extremity to a pivot point 35 fixed on the rear end of the spring plate ll.- A pin or tongue 46 extends downwardly'fr'om the pivot point 45, and is adapted to pass through an aperture in a leaf spring 41 on which the pivot 45 is secured, and. then into an aperture 48 in a ramp portion 49 secured to the tube 30. Obviously, with the trigger bar shown in the position 'in full lines in Figure 2, engagement of pin 46 in aperture 48 will preclude movement of the tube 38 and its associated plate 3|, and consequently extension of the hooks 33.

However, upon moving of the trigger bar 40 to the dotted line position shown in Figure 2, such as might be occasioned by the striking of a fish, it will be understood that the pin 46 will be released from its associated aperture 48,

whereupon the spring 21 will serve to move tube 30 and its associated plate 31 to the dotted line position, thus extending the hooks 33, which will embed themselves firmly in the mouth of a fish.

When it is desired vto re-set'the device, it will be understood that the rod or cockingmember 25, which extends completely through the tube 30 and a suitable aperture in plate 3! and terminates in a collar or washer 50, may,by unthreading the nose portion 22 from threaded extremity [6, be drawn outwardly, which will retract the plate 3| until the spring 47 biases pin 46 into aperture '48, retaining the hooks in retracted position. Since the rod is normally freely slidable in the tubes l4 and 36, the nose cap may be replaced and re-threaded into position after setting, whereupon the device is ready for re-u'se.

If desired, a suitable weight 5| may be positioned in the base of the device in such manher as to hold the trigger bar 40 in upright position, as shown in Figure '2, so that when the device is cast, it will land nose down or bottom portion down, in order to preclude dislodgment of the trigger bar and its associated mechanism upon impact with the water.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved artificial bait, which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

11 claim:

1. In an artificial baitcomprising 'a body having a longitudinally extending bore therein, a plurality of hooks pivoted onto the body for extension from and retraction therein, a member slidable in said body and operatively connected to said hooks, an apertured ramp portion secured to said member, a plate secured to the rear end of said member, a collar abutting the front end of said member, spring means in said body engaging said collar for pivoting said hooks to extended position, a spring pressed pin engaging the aperture in said ramp portion for latching said member in hook retracting position, a trigger bar engaging said pin and rockabl on said plate for releasing said pin from engagement with said apertured ramp portion, and a cooking member in said body engaging said slidable mem-- her for resetting said slidable member maretracting said hooks. r

2. In an artificial fish ure comprising a body, hooks pivoted on said lure for retract-ion therein and extension therefrom, a member slidable in said bod and operatively connected to said hooks, an apertured ramp portion secured to said member, a collar abutting said member, resilient means pressing said collar to hook extending position, a spring pressed member in said body engaging said apertured ramp portion for holding said slidable member in hook retracting position, and a trigger bar extending from said body and engaging said spring pressed member for releasing said spring pressed member to hook extending position.

3. In an artificial fish lure, hooks pivoted on said lure for retraction therein and extension therefrom, a member slidable in said lure an'd operatively connected to said hooks, an apertured ramp portion secured to said member, a plate secured to the rear end of said member, a collar abutting the front end of said member, resilient means pressing said collar to hook extending position, a spring pressed .pin in said lure engaging the aperture in said ramp portion for holding said slidable member in book retracting posi tion, and a trigger bar extending from said lure and engaging said pin for releasing said slidable member to hook extending position, and a cocking member in said lure engaging said slidable member for retracting said member to hook retracting position.

KENNETH H. REED.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

